Blue Jays Add Pitching Depth with Robinson Piña Trade from Marlins

Jupiter, USA - The Toronto Blue Jays have made a notable move in their quest for pitching depth by acquiring right-handed pitcher Robinson Piña from the Miami Marlins. This trade, finalized on Tuesday, comes just ahead of the MLB trade deadline and sees minor-league reliever Colby Martin heading to Miami in exchange.

Just Baseball reports that while the addition of Piña isn’t deemed a blockbuster trade, it has the potential to be beneficial for Toronto, especially in the short term. Piña, who is 26, joined Miami’s 40-man roster last Thursday and made his MLB debut shortly after. In that brief outing, he pitched one inning, allowing a home run and retiring three batters before being designated for assignment.

A Look at Piña’s Background

Before joining the Marlins, Piña had a decent run in the minors, posting a 3.47 ERA over 57 innings at Triple-A Jacksonville. With a strikeout rate of 22.2% and a walk rate of just 6.2%, he demonstrated solid potential. His pitching arsenal includes a 93 MPH four-seam fastball, a sinker, a slider, and a splitter. This versatility gives the Blue Jays options, as he can serve as a spot starter or a long reliever when needed.

The timing of this trade is interesting; the Blue Jays have several pitchers on the injured list, notably Bowden Francis and Max Scherzer, while Chad Green and Jeff Hoffman haven’t quite found their groove this season. Five pitchers on the team currently sport an ERA of 4.89 or higher over the past 30 days, which highlights the pressing need for fresh arms in the lineup. There’s certainly something to be said for adding depth in such circumstances.

A Shift in Strategy for Miami

On the other side of the trade, the Marlins are betting on Colby Martin, a promising 24-year-old who has recently transitioned from infielder to pitcher. Drafted in the 16th round by Toronto in 2024, Martin boasts an impressive 1.61 ERA in Low-A but has grappled with control issues, reflected in his 16% walk rate. The Marlins are intrigued by his raw talent as part of their rebuilding efforts.

This trade is characterized as low-risk and high-upside for the Blue Jays, addressing their immediate need for pitching while potentially facilitating further moves as the trade deadline approaches. As the MLB landscape shifts, fans and analysts alike will be watching to see how this move plays out for both teams as they navigate the challenges of the season.